Vanilla Strawberry™ Panicle Hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata 'Vanille Fraise,' a recent introduction from First Editions®, is an exceptional cultivar distinguished by its prolific flowering and changing inflorescences. This ornamental shrub will bring a touch of sophistication and delicacy to any landscape design.

Botanical Characteristics:

• Inflorescences: Dense conical panicles, measuring up to 30 cm in length, evolving from creamy white to pale pink, then to raspberry red in autumn.
• Flowering: Recurrent, extending from July to October, providing prolonged visual interest.
• Foliage: Deciduous, dark green, turning golden yellow in autumn.
• Habit: Bushy, rounded, reaching a height of 1.80 to 2.40 meters and a width of 1.20 to 1.50 meters at maturity.
• Growth: Vigorous, with strong branches easily supporting the weight of the inflorescences.

Cultural Requirements:

• Exposure: Sunny to partial shade, with a preference for morning sun and light afternoon shade.
• Soil: Rich in organic matter, cool, well-drained, with a slightly acidic pH (5.5 to 6.5).
• Watering: Regular and abundant, especially during dry periods and during the first year after planting.
• Pruning: Formative pruning in late winter or early spring, before bud break, will promote compact growth and abundant flowering.
• Hardiness: Zone 3b, tolerating winter temperatures down to -37°C.

Uses:

The 'Vanille Fraise' hydrangea is ideal as a standalone, in shrub borders, in flowering hedges, or in combination with other Hydrangea paniculata cultivars to create a spectacular effect. Its inflorescences, with a long vase life, are also prized for making bouquets.

Botanix Tips:

• Apply a specific fertilizer for acid-loving plants in the spring to stimulate growth and flowering.
• Mulch the soil around the base of the shrub to retain moisture and protect the roots from frost.
• Protect young plants from cold, dry winds in winter.